plural bombs
1
a
: a device that is designed to explode in order to injure or kill people or to damage or destroy property
A bomb went off downtown.
The bomb is set to detonate at 3:00. = The bomb will blow up at 3:00.
Many bombs were dropped on the city during the war.
They hid/planted a bomb in the building.
a pipe bomb [=a bomb made from a piece of pipe]
a suicide bomb [=a bomb carried by someone who plans to be killed by it when it explodes]
—often used before another nouna bomb explosion/blast
a bomb site [=a place where a bomb has exploded]
Someone called in a bomb threat [=a message saying that a bomb is located in a particular place], so the building was evacuated.
a bomb squad [=a group of people who have the job of preventing bombs from causing damage or injury]
b
: nuclear weapons
countries that have the bomb
2
US, informal
: something that is a complete failure
—usually singular
The movie was a bomb. [=flop]
3
a
US slang
: something or someone that is very good
Their new album is the bomb. [=their new album is great]
b
British, informal
: something that is very successful
The party went down/like a bomb [=the party was a success], and everybody enjoyed themselves.
4
a
American football
: a long pass
The quarterback threw a bomb to the wide receiver.
b
basketball
: a long shot
She's good at shooting three-point bombs.
c
baseball
: a long home run
He hit a three-run bomb over the left field wall.
5
British, informal
: a large amount of money
She paid a bomb for the car.
I'm looking for a new computer that doesn't cost a bomb.
bombs; bombed; bombing
1
: to attack (a place or people) with a bomb or many bombs
The city was heavily bombed during the war.
The planes flew 200 miles to bomb their target.
2
a
informal
: to fail completely
The plan bombed (out).
The movie bombed at the box office.
The play bombed on Broadway.
He bombed at/in his first performance.
b
US slang
: to fail (a test)
I completely bombed my math exam.
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition informal
: to move or go very quickly
A car was bombing down the highway.
teenagers bombing around in a convertible
4
a
US, sports
: to hit (a ball) very hard
He bombed a homer in the ninth inning.
b
baseball
: to score many runs against (a pitcher)
The relief pitcher was bombed in the ninth inning.
Cite this Entry
“Bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bomb. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.
Copy Citation
